Google maps not workingfor public transit ? - urgent
Jul 28, 2019, 7:07 pm
#16
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You don't. It doesn't exist.
Jul 28, 2019, 7:21 pm
#17
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Are you seriously saying that the availability of a transit app plays a role in your choice of destinations? Both Beijing and Shanghai are idiot proof, transit wise. In fact, I once lead a study abroad program for American high school students (with horrible Chinese skills), and not a single one of them had any issues getting around either city on subways, buses, and taxis.
Jul 28, 2019, 7:31 pm
#18
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I also like explorebj and exploresh. They are iOS/Android apps that are just subway maps (i.e. they don't do anything else), but they don't take up much space, and come in handy.
Last edited by moondog; Jul 28, 2019 at 11:22 pm
Jul 28, 2019, 7:43 pm
#19
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You don't. It doesn't exist.
Every subway station has a map right on the machines that sell you the tickets. That map will tell you which way to go. It'll also tell you how much it costs. All machines have English mode on them as well. Use your maps to figure out what station you want to travel to, and use the maps on the machines to figure out how to get there. You don't need an app that tells you exactly which line(s) to take and when to wait for them. What do you think this is, the US, where we have crappy public transportation and trains that come with frequencies of 15 minutes or longer?
Every subway station has a map right on the machines that sell you the tickets. That map will tell you which way to go. It'll also tell you how much it costs. All machines have English mode on them as well. Use your maps to figure out what station you want to travel to, and use the maps on the machines to figure out how to get there. You don't need an app that tells you exactly which line(s) to take and when to wait for them. What do you think this is, the US, where we have crappy public transportation and trains that come with frequencies of 15 minutes or longer?
Jul 28, 2019, 7:44 pm
#20
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Are you seriously saying that the availability of a transit app plays a role in your choice of destinations? Both Beijing and Shanghai are idiot proof, transit wise. In fact, I once lead a study abroad program for American high school students (with horrible Chinese skills), and not a single one of them had any issues getting around either city on subways, buses, and taxis.
Jul 28, 2019, 8:00 pm
#21
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but ok - so let’s play it out - I am scheduled to stay at the Beijing Marriott Changping - how do I realistically find out what the closest subway station is? I just pulled it up on google maps and zoom in/out and nothing comes up re subway station. Can’t imagine finding the hotel on the subway map would be any easier?
Last edited by STS-134; Jul 28, 2019 at 8:06 pm
Jul 28, 2019, 8:25 pm
#22
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but ok - so let’s play it out - I am scheduled to stay at the Beijing Marriott Changping - how do I realistically find out what the closest subway station is? I just pulled it up on google maps and zoom in/out and nothing comes up re subway station. Can’t imagine finding the hotel on the subway map would be any easier?
Note that they are not joking about the 2 hour thing, and the station is still 2 km from the hotel. Meanwhile, here's the taxi route from the airport to the hotel.
All but the most die hard public transit advocates in our ranks would presumably spend the extra $30 on the taxi in the instant case (i.e. save over an hour, and avoid those transfers).
By the way, when you're up there, be sure to check out some of the hot springs. They have all sorts of styles. I think this is the one I liked the most, but I'm not positive because I haven't been in the past 5 years:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...r-Beijing.html
Last edited by moondog; Jul 28, 2019 at 11:25 pm
Jul 28, 2019, 8:37 pm
#23
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Honestly, I don't think the Changping Line or the 949 bus will be of much help to you.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changping_line
You see, you're at the last station, and even the first station (Xierqi) is widely regarded as the boondocks. I suppose if you want to check out Wudaokou, you could take the subway in, and grab a taxi/Didi back.
I hope you can find time to tell us about your travels up there. It is beautiful and clean (by Beijing standards), but very few tourists make the trek.
Jul 28, 2019, 9:21 pm
#25
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Ironically, Autonavi's HQ is a stone's throw from the Changping Marriott, but I honestly haven't heard of any other major companies that are in that neck of the woods; well, Baidu is sort of in the general area. Basically, when I think of Changping, only hot springs, golf, and hiking come to mind.
Jul 29, 2019, 1:12 am
#26
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Google maps worked last week as long as I stayed on cellular data on my USA sim card.
Agree that PVG metro is very simple - maps are available everywhere and signs/announcements are in english.
Agree that PVG metro is very simple - maps are available everywhere and signs/announcements are in english.
Jul 29, 2019, 1:23 am
#27
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Jul 29, 2019, 3:37 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2014
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"I was scheduled to go to Beijing but if I can’'t get a reliable transit app then I will have to go to Shanghai instead because I know I can just take the 2 Subway from Pudong to JW Tomorrow Square."
On that basis, go to Shanghai! Or stay somewhere actually in urban Beijing. A transit app is near-useless if you're staying out in Changping.
On that basis, go to Shanghai! Or stay somewhere actually in urban Beijing. A transit app is near-useless if you're staying out in Changping.
Jul 29, 2019, 5:41 am
#30
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Sorry for the delayed response, I use apple maps on an almost daily basis in Beijing, and it shows transit options for wherever I am looking to go. I have used it in Shanghai as well, but we usually walked or took DiDi when we have been down there. When I click on "transit" option on the map, it always shows the different exits from each train station. I have a local SIM, but my husband has the same options and he uses his US Sim a lot (on his dual sim phone). The directions on Apple Maps also include the appropriate stations exit to use....now finding the right station exit isn't always that easy but that's a different conversation.